Bill would set up vote on an EARIP sales tax

By Colin McDonaldcmcdonald@express-news.net

Published 12:10 am, Thursday, March 10, 2011

State Rep. John Garza, R-San Antonio, filed a bill Wednesday that calls for a public vote on the creation of a new 0.25 percent sales tax to pay for the protection of springflows at Comal and San Marcos springs.

The tax would be collected in areas that benefit from the management of the Edwards Aquifer and the San Antonio and Guadalupe rivers.

The money raised would primarily go for a plan being developed as part of the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program. The bill allows for any additional revenue from the tax to be spent on improving habitat and the protection of species along the rivers.

Garza's chief of staff, Art Martinez de Vara, said the legislator is cautious about the creation of a tax and has not taken a position on the matter but that he wants the public to have the opportunity to vote.

State Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, said he would file a similar bill.